weidling



O. G. WEIDLI NG. Car-Coupling.

No. 223,686. Patented Jan. 20,1880.

Wines 5:95 [727872507 NJETERS, PNOTO LlYMOGRAFNEH, WASHINGTON, D C

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES G. WEIDLING, OF NEVl YORK, N. Y.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 223,686, dated January 20, 1880.

Application filed July 1, 1879 To all whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES G. VVETDLING, of the city, county, and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section and aside view of my improved car-coupling; Fig. 2, a bottom view, and Fig. 3 an end View, of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention has reference to an improved automatic car-coupling by which passenger and freight cars may be coupled in a reliable manner, without the least danger, either from the platform, side, or top of the car and the invention consists of a draw-head with open sides, and of a fixed coupling-link that is arranged sidewise of the draw-bar and ata height midway between the top and bottom plates of the draw-bar. A bell-crank-shaped couplingpin is pivoted to the top plate of the draw-bar, and swings in slots of the top and bottom plates of the draw-bar, dropping into a slot of the fixed link of the approaching car when the link enters into the draw-bar. Suitable uncoupling mechanism raises the pin out of the link for uncoupling. A spring-cushioned contact-plate is guided in the draw-bar and takes up the force of the concussion.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a draw-bar, which is constructed with open sides for facilitating the entrance of the it link and giving greater flexibility to the coupling mechanism in rounding curves. The top and bottom plates of the draw-bar A are provided with longitudinal center slots a and with longitudinal strengthening ribs 11, respectively, at the upper and under side of the same. The front ends of the draw-bar are tapering or rounded off for guiding the approaching link into the space between the top and bottom plates.

At one side of the draw-bar A, and preferably cast in one piece therewith, is arranged a rigid coupling-link, B, which has a longitudinal slot, d, and which is placed at a short distance sidewise of the draw-bar. The link B is placed at a height midway between the top and bottom plates of the draw-bar. The entire casting, draw-bar and link, may be either guided and spring-cushioned at the bottom frame of the car in the customary manner in draw-bars, or it may be permanently secured to the bottom frame of the car, and the concussion of the same taken up by buffers arranged above or at each side of the coupling, or it may be rigidly applied to the car-frame, and a spring-acted cushioning-plate, O, placed intermediately between the plates oi'the drawbar and guided by the same,as shown in the drawings.

To the top plate of the draw-bar is pivoted apendent coupling-pin, D, of bell-crank shape, the upper shorter arm of which is connected with a suitable uncoupling-lever mechanism, E, which is operated by the brakeman either from the platform or from the side or top of the car. The lever mechanism E throws the longer pendent arm of the pin D upward into horizontal position until a projecting stop, 0, of the same forms contact with the top plate of the draw-bar, so as to admit then the withdrawing and uncoupling of the link.

The lever mechanism or the pendent pin is preferably weighted in such a manner that the coupling-pin assumes a pendent position in the draw-bar ready for coupling.

When the cars approach each other the fixed links enter readily into the open space between the top and bottom plates of their respective draw-bars, pushing the coupling-pins back and striking against the spring cushioned cross-pieces, which recede and take up to some extent the force of the concussion. The entering of the links lifts the coupling-pins until the former have passed far enough into the draw-heads so that the pins may drop into the slots of the same, and establish thereby the easily-operated, and perfectly dangerless coupling for railroad-cars is obtained.

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Having thus described my invention, Iolaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In car-couplings, a combined draw-bar and link having a fixed link, which is placed sidewise of and at a height midway between the top and bottom plates of the draw-bar, substantially as set forth.

2. In car-couplings, -a combined draw-bar and link, consisting of a draw-bar with open sides and slotted top and bottom plates, and of a fixed link arranged sidewise of the drawbar and at a height midway between the top and bottom plates of the draw-bar, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a draw-bar having open sides and slotted top and bottom plates, and of a fixed link sidewise of the draw-bar,

with a swinging coupling-pin pivoted to the top plate of the draw-bar, and with uncoupling mechanism, substantially as specified.

4. The combination of a draw-bar having open sides and slotted top and bottom plates, and of a fixed link sidewise of the draw-bar, with a swinging coupling-pin pivoted to the top plate of draw-ban, and with a guided and' spring-cushioned contact-plate, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimon; that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed. my name, in pres ence of two Witnesses, this 28th day of June, 1879.

CHARLES G. WEIDLING.

VVitne-sses PAUL GoEPEL, CARL RARP. 

